Not sure how I missed this release earlier in the year, but former Squirrel Nut Zippers bandmates Andrew Bird and Jimbo Mathus reunited for the stripped down and magical These 13. Here’s “Poor Lost Souls”, their sobering reflection on homelessness. She’s just a lump of coal, but she could have been a diamondHe’s just a […]
Desert Hollow – Thirsty
Hailing from West Virginia and southeast California respectively, Xander Hitzig and Nicole Olney wouldn’t be expected to have a similar perspective on life. After meeting on the set of a musical theatre production, though, they realized they shared a lot in common, especially musically. You’ll hear that on their debut record, an EP titled Thirsty. […]
John Smith on Nick Drake and Spending More Time with the Pen
Songwriter and guitarist John Smith talks about working in a comic book shop and a boozy tour bus breakdown while on the road with David Gray.
Monday Morning Video – William Prince
I’ll admit that I’m a late-comer to William Prince’s music. While in Nashville two years ago for the Americana Conference, I arrived at a venue early in anticipation of catching a favorite artist (Terra Lightfoot, if you must know). The sounds that greeted me, courtesy of Prince, were astonishing. While I can’t recall with any […]
Grace Pettis – Working Woman
As the daughter of singer-songwriter Pierce Pettis and poetry scholar Dr. Margaret Mills Harper, it is no surprise that Grace Pettis turned out to be a powerful songwriter herself. Raised in both the rural mountains of Mentone, Alabama and the suburbs of Atlanta, her music reflects both traditional roots and modern styles. Her powerful voice […]
Amy Speace – There Used To Be Horses Here
We should all be thankful musicians find writing songs to be cathartic. Amy Speace has taken inspiration from the first birthday of her son, and the passing of her father, to deliver an emotional, passionate new record. Entitled There Used To Be Horses Here, it’s a natural fit for vinyl with two pretty distinct parts […]
Monday Morning Video – The Waterboys
A recent conversation with some music friends was a welcome reminder of the greatness that is The Waterboys. Here are two favorites to start the week. First is the Waterboys performing “The Whole of the Moon” in Germany back in 2007. Second is The Waterboys’ Mike Scott and Steve Wickham joining James Maddock at New […]
Anana Kaye and Irakli Gabriel on Tour Sandwiches and Ignoring Music Business Advice
Nashville-based duo Anana Kaye and Irakli Gabriel talk about the kind people of Virginia, the cat and dog in their rehearsal space, and going from zero to not being broke.
Vivian Leva & Riley Calcagno
Three years ago in a cramped hotel room during Folk Alliance, at the advice of friends, I first heard a barely-out-of-high-school songstress, Vivian Leva, and her musical partner, Riley Calcagno. Leva had just released her debut album of Appalachian style folk and country songs. Belying her tender age, Leva’s soulful vocal delivery laid bare the […]
Lydia Luce – Dark River
Let me just start by saying that if you’re in the mood for something twangy, the new record from Nashville’s Lydia Luce is not going to scratch that itch. Luce is an in-demand studio musician around Nashville for her ability on a variety of stringed instruments, so she knows twang. But Dark River draws mostly […]